Reviews

• Amazing story!

  For fans of Undisclosed this was a great way to get a bit more personal with Adnan and Rabia. Rabia does a wonderful job telling this story but I wish I would have bought the audio book as I could listen to her talk for hours! Great job!

• Compelling read

  Well written and with a relevant sequence of facts, deliberation which adds weight to the case of this tragic story. There are many facets which simply don't stack up in the case against Adnan Syed both legally and morally if this transpires to be true than a travesty of justice of the biggest magnitude has occurred. It is still difficult to be absolutely certain of guilt or innocence and this is not a reflection on this book or its efforts to present a wholly credible case for innocence, there are some questions remaining however l would urge people to read it not as a barometer of whether this young man is guilty but rather as a reference to see if justice was served...on that note it was not.

• My words are inadequate, Rabia's are not

  This is a story that needs to be heard and noone else could have done it the justice that Rabia has. She captures not only the pain, frustration and futility that those close to Adnan have been feeling for decades but also the basic decency of Adnan himself that has allowed him to bear what no innocent person should have to. The facts are all on the table, at least the ones that can be shared for now. They are woven together with humanity, spirituality, philosophy, and law, and with Rabia's fiery righteousness and compassion. I cried a lot. I loved it. You should read it.

• A compelling read

  I pre-ordered the book when it first popped up in 2015 and my copy has arrived, but I have in fact listened to the audiobook instead (due to time commitments) through Audible. I preface my review by saying I am unabashedly in the camp of Adnan and his supporters. I hope, however, I can provide a balanced review here. It should be noted from the outset that this book is not and was never meant to be an unbiased investigation into the case. The book is written firmly in the view of Adnan and Rabia. Notwithstanding that, I think the story is told as they know and understand it. No one - not a single person involved in this case - would be able to provide an unbiased account of what happened in 1999 and since. I didn't feel the book sugar coated Adnan's "weaknesses" as a human being or a Muslim (weakness being a perception here, rather than perhaps the reality). When I listened to Serial, I felt unconvinced either way of Adnan's guilt or innocence - exactly as Serial designed, I sat on the fence. I was unequivocal that a fair trial had not been afforded Adnan and that there was plenty of reasonable doubt. The Undisclosed podcast changed that, through careful legal analysis and investigation. I firmly believe now that Adnan Syed did not kill Hae Min Lee, although I am not as convinced as others about who the perpatrator might be. I have thoughts on possibilities but I don't think there is a case to be made, beyond reasonable doubt, against any suspects (based on what is in the public domain). I was concerned before listening that perhaps allegations would be made in this book, as have been made by others, but I was relieved to find that while other suspects are analysed (and ought to be so further), no such affirmations were made. I don't think it helps the case for having Adnan exonerated to be making assertions of guilt against others without bullet-proof evidence. That is no better than his own conviction. I found the book beautifully written - Rabia's speaking style is engrossing, and I think listening to it brings a dimension that cannot be found on the page. I enjoyed hearing Adnan's "voice" through the book, especially his letters to Sarah Koenig. I especially enjoyed the peripheral story of Rabia's life and how that interwove with her support of Adnan - it is worthy of a seperate book in itself. The evidence presented makes a coercive case - it is difficult to believe anyone could think, at best, his trial was fair. Rabia is unequivocal (and in my opinion correct) in her assessment of the justice system as being broken - a fact mirrored in most western justice systems, sadly. If I could be persuaded that all the law enforcement and prosecution lawyers had behaved legally and ethically, perhaps I could accept the verdict (whilst still believing in Adnan's innocence). I cannot be persuaded on the facts of this case. Despite having listened to the podcasts (including Truth & Justice), I certainly learned new and interesting information through this volume. I feel I have a deeper understanding of Adnan the person and the (sad) impact his conviction has had on his family. I also feel I have come to understand Islam a little better - for better and for worse. Like all religions, it has strengths and weaknesses. It is a faith which I am interested in at least learning more about and coming to a better understanding of. Overall, if this is a case of interest to you, your time will not be wasted reading or listening to this story. There will be some who will never be convinced of Adnan's innocence and that's their prerogative. However, if you have an open mind, there is plenty to absorb here in a well written and compelling story of how being the "other" can be the difference between the life you imagined and the life you're consigned to, by the design of others. Highly recommended.

• Very easy and interesting read. Adam is definitely not guilty. Hope he gets out.

  Great read. Easy to follow. Chronologically detailed Could not leave the book down. Completed reading in a very short period

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